Trojan family,
At Meridian we pride ourselves on having the most incredible, kind students and one of the most supportive communities anywhere. Tonight we all have the chance to come together and celebrate Meridian at our Homecoming football game against Mt. Baker. Whether you are a multigenerational Trojan family or recently joined our school, we are proud to welcome you home!
Our Leadership students have done a fantastic job this past week of creating dress-up theme days, running lunchtime activities, and planning for tomorrow night’s dance – plus ensuring that every student gets a personal invitation to attend. Social events such as dances are a great way to build connections which support learning relationships in the classroom – so we are excited to see many of you there.
On another note – sign ups are fast closing for both the Learning with Leaders event at Skagit Valley College and the Teen Heart Screening right here at MHS. See more information below!
As always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Go Trojans!
Mr. Doffing, Principal
Mr. Kratzig, Assistant Principal
Monday, October 14
- Normal Monday Bell Schedule (Periods 1, 2, HR, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- Boys Tennis vs. Lakewood HS, 4:00pm at Lynden MS
- JV Football vs. South Whidbey HS, 6:00pm at MHS
- JV & C-Team Volleyball vs. Oak Harbor HS, 5:40pm at OHHS
- Varsity Volleyball vs. Oak Harbor HS, 7:00pm at OHHS
Tuesday, October 15
- Normal Tuesday Bell Schedule (Periods 1, 2, T3, 4, 5)
- Girls Swim and Dive vs. Sedro Woolley HS, 3:30pm at Forge Pool in Lynden
- FFA Trapshooting, 4:00pm
- District Multilingual Family Night, 5:00pm at IRE
- Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Oak Harbor HS, 7:00pm at OHHS
Wednesday, October 16
- Normal Wednesday Bell Schedule (Periods 1, 3, T3, 4, 6)
- D&D Club, 2:35pm in Mr. Armerding’s Room
- JV & C-Team Volleyball vs. Lakewood HS, 5:40pm at MHS
- Varsity Volleyball vs. Lakewood HS, 7:00m at MHS
Thursday, October 17
- Normal Thursday Bell Schedule (Periods 2, 3, T3, 5, 6)
- Culinary Club, 2:45pm in Ms. Scott’s Room
- Girls Swim and Dive vs. Lynden HS, 3:30pm at Forge Pool in Lynden
- Cross Country Meet, 3:45pm at Lake Padden
- Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Lakewood HS, 7:00pm at MHS
Friday, October 18
- Late Start, School Begins at 8:55am
- Friday Late Start Schedule (Periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- Varsity Football vs. Nooksack Valley HS, 7:00pm at NVHS
Saturday, October 19
- JV & C-Team Volleyball Tournament, 8:00am at MHS
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Multilingual Family Night, Oct. 15
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Families and students in our multilingual program are invited to join us from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15 at Irene Reither Elementary School.
The multilingual teachers from our schools will share some important information with you including:
- What we are doing to support your child in school.
- Ways to communicate with your child’s school or teacher.
- How to encourage good study habits at home.
You will also have an opportunity to share with us ways we can better support you and your child at school. We will have Spanish, Russian and Punjabi interpreters at the event. Dinner and childcare will be provided.
Even teens who seem perfectly healthy may have hidden heart problems. Although the percentage is small, kids with undetected heart defects are at risk of sudden cardiac acrrest which can happen without warning and can result in death.
To participate in a free screening, a parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the Heart Health Survey on behalf of their teen or youth (under age 18). Completed surveys must be received by October 22. Appointments will then be scheduled for students on Tuesday, October 29 during or after the school day.
Click here to register your student!
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Bond Priorities Safety and Accessibility
On November 5, our community will vote on a facilities bond that includes much-needed facilities projects related to safety and accessibility.
This
short video featuring Meridian Middle School Principal Todd Torgeson, explains in greater detail the bond projects.
The bond includes constructing a new Meridian Middle School to address rising maintenance costs, safety concerns and lack of accessibility of the current school, originally built in 1938. Meridian Middle School has non-reinforced concrete walls that don’t meet seismic codes, unconnected buildings with outdoor entries making security difficult. The school also lacks accessible restrooms and entries.
For Meridian High School, relocating the music room to the old cafeteria will improve student safety. Auditorium repairs, including a new roof, will prevent leaks and maintain it as a community resource. A new generator will ensure emergency power and heat during outages. Replacing lighting and repairing the stadium will enhance the safety and usability of athletic facilities.
Grad ads are due on December 16, 2024 (the same deadline as senior photos). A half-page ad costs $110 and can include up to 7 photos, while a quarter-page ad costs $60 with a maximum of 5 photos.
To submit, please send your receipt, photos, and dedication wording to Mr. McGrew by the deadline. If you’re submitting hard copies of photos, we will scan them and return them by the end of the school year.
Remember, the more content in the dedication, the smaller the font will be, so keep it simple for easier reading!
If you plan to pick up your child from school, please call the office at least 30 minutes in advance. This will allow us time to notify your child and their teacher, ensuring a smooth and timely dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Credit Retrieval Begins Monday, October 14th
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If you’ve failed a course and are no longer on track to graduate, now is the time to sign up for credit retrieval. Sessions will be held on Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. in Room 209. Attendance is required, and students can catch the activity bus home afterward. Once the course is completed, the credit will be added to your transcript.
Contact your school counselor to sign up!
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Join the Learning with Leaders Event at Skagit Valley College
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We are thrilled to invite you to our first Learning with Leaders event of the year, happening on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, at Skagit Valley College! This event is packed with exciting workshops and learning experiences just for students.
Priority registration opens on October 16th for students who qualify for the College Bound Scholarship, are in DVR classes, are Tribal students, or have an IEP or 504 plan. General registration for all students begins on October 23rd and closes on November 6th. Since space is limited, the earlier you register, the better your chances of getting into the workshops you want! Click HERE to sign up to be contacted by school staff when registration opens.
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Financial Aid Update for Seniors
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The FAFSA/WASFA application for financial aid has been delayed. It was hoped that the application would be available in October as it was before the new application. The release has been delayed until December 1, 2024. MHS will offer three support sessions for seniors. A lesson will be taught in Homeroom explaining types of financial aid and what documents are needed to develop a FSA ID.
An assembly will be held for seniors on November 4th during Homeroom with our partner Futures NW to help students make their FSA ID. January 14th we will hold our annual Financial Aid Night. We will have professionals here to help with any questions you or your parents may have on completing the applications. Dinner will be provided and time to complete the applications. Finally, February 27th during both lunches Futures NW will join us to check the application status and help with any error messages.
Last year this was a new offering and was found very beneficial as they found errors that were associated with the new application and were able to report their findings so the errors could be corrected in the application itself. Pizza will be provided. This is just a quick application check so that any financial aid you may be receiving will not be delayed. Mark your calendars. We look forward to working with you.
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College in the High School Program
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Meridian High School students can earn free college credit through Everett Community College (EvCC) by taking select courses like Honors Chemistry, AP Biology, Pre-Calculus, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus. The process is simple: apply to become an EvCC student and register for courses—all while completing your coursework at MHS!
Key Deadlines:
- Apply to EvCC by December 16, 2024
- Register for your EvCC courses by January 17, 2025
MHS is offering application support during T3 on November 21, and registration support on December 12. Make sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to earn college credits at no cost!
Pro Tip: These are real college courses, and grades will affect your academic record, so stay on top of your work!
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Class of 2025 – High School & Beyond Plan
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The High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) is a required component for graduation. All students must complete their HSBP by December 16, 2024 to meet this important graduation requirement.
To help you understand what is necessary to satisfy this requirement, we have provided a detailed document outlining all the components of the HSBP. You can access it here: HSBP Requirements. If your student needs assistance or has any questions about completing their HSBP, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their school counselor. Our counselors are here to guide students through the process and provide any support needed.
Don’t wait until the deadline – start early to ensure your student is on track for graduation!
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Washington Guaranteed Admission Program (WAGAP)
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The Washington Guaranteed Admission Program (WAGAP) makes it easier for students to get into college. It guarantees admission to six Washington state universities: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Evergreen State College, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University, and Western Washington University.
WAGAP is available to 11th and 12th-grade students who meet certain requirements:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA
- Completion (or on track to complete by fall 2024) of the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs)
- Enrollment in a school district that partners with WAGAP
If your student qualifies, they will receive a letter confirming their eligibility for guaranteed admission to all six participating universities. For more information, check out the WAGAP FAQ document. This program is a great way to help Washington students reach their college and career goals!
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Students interested in taking the SAT or ACT should begin reviewing the registration process for these assessments. Testing is available at various locations and times, so be sure to plan ahead. Additionally, we encourage you to check the admissions requirements of colleges you’re considering, as some may require SAT or ACT scores for acceptance.
It’s also important to note that some scholarships require a score from one of these tests, so consider this when making your decision about whether to take the exam.
For more information, visit the following links:
If you have any further questions, please reach out to your counselor!
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The Family Support Center has a limited number of Operation School Bell gift cards available for students in grades TK-12. Operation School Bell provides new school clothes to students who qualify for free meals at school.
Priority will be given to students who did not receive a gift card last year.
If you’re interested in signing your student up for this program, please call or text:
- Alicia at 360-988-1949
- Elvira (for Spanish) at 360-306-2886
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